article viii. sign regulations

January 22, 2015

VIII-1

ARTICLE VIII. SIGN REGULATIONS

Section 800. Purpose and Scope

The City of Northport recognizes that signs perform an important function in identifying

properties, businesses, services, residences, events, and other matters of public interest. It is the

intent of this Article to:

A. Set standards and provide controls that permit reasonable use of signs and enhance

the character of the City.

B. Support and promote the use of signs to aid the public in the identification of

businesses and other activities, to assist the public in its orientation within the City, to

express the history and character of the City, to promote the community’s ability to

attract sources of economic development and growth, and to serve other informational

purposes.

C. Avoid excessive competition for large or multiple signs, so that permitted signs

provide identification and direction while minimizing clutter, unsightliness,

confusion, and hazardous distractions to motorists.

D. Protect the public from the danger of unsafe signs, and from the degradation of the

aesthetic qualities of the City.

E. Encourage sign design that builds on the traditional town image and visual

environment the City of Northport seeks to promote.

This Article is not intended to inhibit an individual’s right to express non-commercial messages

protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

These regulations shall apply to all signs erected, constructed, displayed, painted, maintained,

altered, and/or installed in every zoning district in the City, which are designed or intended to be

seen by or attract the attention of the public. No sign shall be erected or installed unless it is in

compliance with the regulations of this Article.

January 22, 2015

VIII-2

Section 801. Definitions

Words and phrases used in this Article shall have the meanings defined in this Section. Words

and phrases not defined in this Article but defined elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance shall be

given the meaning set forth in the Definitions Section.

Banner: Any sign made of cloth, canvas, plastic sheeting or

any other flexible material, which is not rigidly and

permanently attached to a building or the ground through a

permanent support structure.

Billboard: A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment

conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

Building Frontage: See “Main or Entry Façade” definition.

Building Sign: A sign displayed upon or attached to any part of the exterior of a building,

including walls, doors, parapets, and marquees. Canopy signs, awning signs, projecting signs,

and signs suspended from buildings are considered types of building signs. (See Figure 18)

Commercial Message: Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or

indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other

commercial activity.

Commercial Sign: When describing the content of a sign, a sign advertising, identifying,

directing attention to, or otherwise relating to commerce and to property, goods or services for

sale, lease, exchange or any other transaction where value is given or received by any party to

the transaction.

Department: The City of Northport Planning Department.

Development Sign: Any sign, of a temporary nature, used at

the entrance to a subdivision, office park, or similar

development that indicates lots being sold, the name of the

developer, financial institution or other development parties.

Director: The Planning Director of the City of Northport Planning Department or his/her

designee.

January 22, 2015

VIII-3

Display Area: The area of a sign or advertising device that can be enclosed or measured by the

smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle or combination thereof, which will encompass the

entire sign or advertising device; excluding trim, frame, apron, posts, uprights, braces or other

structural members which support it, (See Section 006.04 - Calculation of Display Area).

Entry Façade: See “Main or Entry Façade” definition.

Erect: To construct, reconstruct, build, relocate, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create,

paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish a sign. It shall not include any of

the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to change a message on a reader board, or

maintain the sign.

Freestanding Sign: Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or

anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure. The posts

or other supporting structures shall be considered as part of the sign, except that they shall not be

included in computing the sign display area. (See Figure 18)

General Business Sign: Freestanding sign on any individual development site.

Grade Level: The finished elevation of the lot or development site upon which the sign is

located.

Main or Entry Façade: Generally the façade or side of the building that faces the public street,

road or highway. In cases where the building is oriented in a manner not parallel to the street,

the primary entrance façade is used as the main façade.

Marquee: A permanent roof like structure extending

from part of the wall of a building but not supported by

the ground; designed to have changeable copy, either

manually or electronically which may overhang the

public way.

Menu Board: A permanent sign, which is not designed

or located so as to be legible from any public right-of-

way, depicting products that can be purchased on site,

and is part of a drive-through service, (i.e. fast food

restaurants).

January 22, 2015

VIII-4

Noncommercial Sign: A sign which is not an on-premise or off-premise commercial sign and

which carries no message, statement, or expression related to the commercial interests of the sign

owner, lessee, author or other person responsible for the sign message. Noncommercial signs

include but are not limited to: signs expressing political views, religious views or signs of non-

profit organizations related to their tax-exempt purposes.

Off-Premise Sign: A sign containing a message unrelated to a business, profession, or activity

conducted, or to a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is

located.

On-Premise Sign: A sign containing a message related to a business, profession, or activity

conducted, or to a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is

located.

Open Letter Sign: A sign consisting of a logo or

symbol, individual letters or connected lettering

mounted on a building in a raceway or similar mounting

or on the surface of an integral architectural element,

which is a part of the building. Individual letters may be

illuminated. The display area of an open letter sign shall

not exceed the maximum permitted area for building

signs on the property, (See Section 006.04 “Calculation

of Display Area”).

Parapet: That portion of a wall which extends above the roof line.

Painted Graphics: Any mosaic, mural, painting, graphic art technique, or combination thereof

placed on a wall and containing no copy, advertising symbols, lettering, trademarks, or other

references to the premises or products and/or services offered for sale on the premises.

Pole Sign: A freestanding sign that is affixed, attached, or erected on a pole that is not itself an

integral part of or attached to a building or structure.

Political Signs: Any temporary sign promoting the campaign of an individual for public office

or an advertisement for an amendment or referendum on a public issue.

Portable Sign: Any sign not permanently attached to

the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign

designed to be transported. Portable signs include, but

are not limited to, signs on wheels, A-frame or T-frame

signs, signs attached to vehicles that are not part of the

normal day-to-day operation of a business, and

temporary metal/cardboard/plastic/wood signs inserted

in the ground other than real estate signs.

January 22, 2015

VIII-5

Reader Board: Permanent sign containing messages in the form of removable letters or

changeable copy. A reader board may be a building sign or an integral part of a freestanding

sign.

Real Estate Sign: A sign indicating that a property or

any portion thereof is available for inspection, sale,

lease, rent, or directing people to a property, but not

including temporary subdivision signs.

Sign: Any object, device, display, image, or structure, or part thereof, designed to inform or

attract attention by any means, including, but not limited to, letters, numerals, figures, designs,

symbols, logos, fixtures, colors, illumination, projected images, or parts of combinations thereof.

Subdivision Identification Marker: A sign marking an entrance to a residential subdivision,

office park, or industrial park.

Temporary Sign: A sign designed and displayed for a seasonal or brief activity such as, but not

limited to, sales, specials, promotions, holidays, auctions, business grand openings, and signs

advertising the lease or vacancy of rental units in multiunit residential developments. Symbols,

figures, balloons, and other similar items shall be considered temporary signs.

Vehicle Sign: Any sign affixed to a vehicle.

Wall Sign: See Building Sign (See Figure 18)

Wind Sign: Any signs, pennants, flags (other than official flags), ribbons, spinners, streamers,

captive balloons or inflatable figures, or other objects or materials fastened in such a manner as

to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind and drawing attention to a business, product,

service or activity whether it contains a message or not.

Window Sign: Any sign, picture, symbol, or

combination thereof designed to communicate

information about a business, commodity, event, sale,

or service for the location on which it is located that

is placed inside or upon a window and is visible from

the exterior of the window.

January 22, 2015

VIII-6

Section 802. Exempt Signs

Exempt signs are allowed without a sign permit and are not to be included in determinations of

the allowable numbers, type and area of signs that require a sign permit. (Nothing in this Section

shall exempt an individual, who desires to erect a sign from the necessity of obtaining a building

permit, should such be required by the adopted building code.) Signs exempted in this Section

must conform to the standards enumerated herein and shall not be placed or constructed so as to

create a hazard of any kind.

802.01. Address Numbers. Address numbers used for the purposes of identifying the E-911

address of a residential or non-residential property are exempt providing they are not part of a

building or freestanding sign with other commercial or non-commercial messages or images. An

address shown as part of a building or wall sign on a non-residential property shall be counted

toward the maximum allowable display area. Incidental signs on residential property identifying

the house number, street name and resident’s name are also exempt.

802.02. Community Event Banners. Banners may be utilized for special community events

open to the general public and sponsored for civic, charitable, community, or similar non-profit

purposes provided:

A. At least five business days before signs are to be posted, the designated representative

of the sponsoring group shall provide a sign installation and removal plan for review

by the Planning Director, who shall grant written permission for signs to be posted if

the following standards are met:

1. Signs or banners shall be located outside of the public right-of-way of any public

street and outside of the sight distance triangle of any intersection.

2. Signs or banners may be posted up to fourteen (14) days before the event and

must be removed within three (3) days following the event.

3. No more than one banner shall be permitted per lot or premises, and in no case

shall any banner or sign be located closer than 200 feet from another such sign on

the same side of the street.

B. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to authorize the posting of such signs or

banners upon trees, utility poles, traffic control signs, lights or devices in any place or

manner prohibited by the provisions herein, nor on private property without written

consent of the owner.

802.03. Community Event Displays. Temporary decorations, and/or non-commercial signs

associated with school activities, school elections, celebrations or commemorations that have

significance to the entire community. All displays shall be removed within seven (7) days of the

event’s completion.

January 22, 2015

VIII-7

802.04. Construction Signs. Signs used to identify contractors, financial institutions or

developers on a site under construction or undergoing modification. Signs are limited to two (2)

signs per site and thirty-two square feet in size each. All construction signs shall be removed

within 14 days after the Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. In the case of minor

modifications not requiring a certificate of occupancy, i.e. tree removal, painting, landscaping,

signs are limited to a display period of 30 days. Routine lawn/landscape maintenance is not

considered construction activity.

802.05. Development Signs. Signs used at the entrance to subdivision, office park, or similar

development that indicates lots for sale, the name of the developer, financial institution or other

development parties. Signs are limited to 32 square feet in size and no more than one sign per

development entrance. Signs are to be removed when the original developer sells all lots in the

development or phase.

802.06. Directional Signs. A sign that is designed

and erected solely for the purpose of traffic or

pedestrian direction and placed on the property for

which its use is intended. No such sign shall display

the name of a product, establishment, service or any

other advertising other than a logo. Signs identifying

public telephones, trash receptacles, first aid

facilities, and shopping cart corrals are considered

directional signs. No directional sign shall exceed

five (5) square feet.

802.07. Directory Signs. A wall-mounted sign, which is not designed or located so as to be

legible from any street or adjoining property, listing the businesses, tenants, or activities

conducted within a building or group of buildings. Directory signs are limited to one per

building and shall not exceed 20 square feet in size.

802.08. Hazard/Prohibition/Warning Signs. Signs warning of construction, excavation, or

similar hazards. Signs such as “No Trespassing” and “No Parking” as long as they do not contain

logos or text advertising a commercial product or activity.

802.09. Help Wanted Signs. Signs advertising job vacancies for employment opportunities

with the business or activity on the property on which the sign is located. Signs are limited to six

(6) square feet in size and only one (1) sign shall be allowed per business.

802.10. Historic District Celebration Signs. Signs mounted to light poles or similar upright

structures in historic Northport, depicting historic district events or activities and containing no

commercial message. Said signs shall be mounted in such a manner that a minimum of eight (8)

feet of vertical clearance is provided, and line of sight at intersections and/or driveways entering

the roadway is provided.

January 22, 2015

VIII-8

802.11. Holiday Decorations. Temporary holiday decorations used to celebrate a single

holiday or season.

802.12. Internal Signs. Signs not intended to be viewed from public right-of-way and located

not to be visible from public right-of-way or adjacent properties, such as signs interior to a

shopping center, commercial buildings and structures, ball parks, stadiums and similar uses of a

recreational or entertainment nature.

802.13. Menu Boards. A permanent sign, which is not designed or located so as to be legible

from any public right-of-way, depicting products that can be purchased on site (i.e. fast food

restaurants) such as a drive-through menu service. (See Section 005.02)

802.14. Nameplates. A non-electrical sign identifying only the name and occupation or

profession of the occupant of a non-residential property on which the sign is located. A

nameplate shall not exceed two (2) square feet in size.

802.15. Official Signs. Official federal, state or

local government traffic, directional and

informational signs and notices issued by any court,

person, or officer in performance of a public duty.

Also, any sign erected by a federal, state, or local

government agency for identification purposes at any

office, institutional, recreational, historical or other

publicly owned or recognized site.

802.16. Official Flags. Official federal, state, or local government flags. Also, any flags or

insignia of a nonprofit religious, charitable, fraternal, academic, corporate or civic organization

shall be allowed as well. Official flags must be flown in a manner that meets U.S. Congressional

protocol. Failure to display flags in this manner will be a violation of this Ordinance.

802.17. Political Signs. Political signs are subject to the following requirements:

A. Political must be removed within seven (7) days after the election. In the event of a

run-off election, the signs of the run-off candidates may be maintained until the date

of the run-off election and must be removed within seven (7) days after the official

election date. However, signs belonging to successful primary candidates may

remain in place for the general election and must be removed within seven (7) days

after the official election date.

B. Political signs are limited in size to no more than thirty-two (32) square feet.

C. Such signs are confined wholly to placement on private property.

D. Pursuant to Section 23-1-6 of the Code of Alabama, it is unlawful to erect or display

political signs on any property owned or controlled by the City of Northport or on

January 22, 2015

VIII-9

School Board property. This shall include public rights-of-way, trees, light poles,

sidewalks, streets, benches, fire hydrants, public parks or playgrounds, libraries, fire

stations, City Hall, and schools.

E. The regulations of this section do not prohibit the purchase of advertising space on

permitted advertising signs in addition to the signs permitted by this section.

F. It is the candidates’ responsibility to ensure that the volunteers and sign contractors

who distribute and erect political signs during an election are doing so in compliance

with this regulation. Candidates will be held responsible for violations.

802.18. Real Estate Signs.

A. For Sale Signs. Temporary signs indicating the property on which the sign is located

is for sale, rent or lease. Only one (1) sign is permitted to face each street adjacent to

the property.

Maximum allowable sign display area for real estate signs:

Residential

6 Sq. Feet each, or a maximum of

12 Sq. feet

Non-Residential

32 Sq. Feet

NOTE: All real estate signs shall be located only on the property that is for sale,

lease or rent.

B. Model Homes/Open House. Temporary signs attracting attention to a model home,

and open house viewing provided that the aggregate area of such signage is not to

exceed 32 square feet.

C. Off-Premise Real Estate “For Sale”, “For Rent”, etc. or locator signs are allowed

on consecutive days from the hours of 4:00 p.m. Friday thru 10:00 a.m. Monday. No

such sign shall be located in any public right-of-way. Any such sign posted outside of

the hours designated above shall be removed and immediately disposed of by the City

of Northport.

802.19. Vehicle Sign. Any sign attached to a vehicle or trailer that is used in the normal day to

day operation of the business depicted on the vehicle. The primary use of any vehicle or trailer,

which contains a vehicle sign, must be to serve a useful function in the transportation or

conveyance of persons or commodities from one place to another, including transportation to and

from work. These vehicles shall not be parked in stalls immediately adjacent to the public right-

of-way. A vehicle or trailer, the primary use of which is for advertising, is prohibited.

January 22, 2015

VIII-10

802.20. Window Sign. Any sign located on the inside or outside of a window and is visible

from the street or adjoining properties. Signs must contain a message related to a business,

profession, or activity conducted, or to a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the

premises where such sign is located and shall not occupy more than 25% of the glass area.

Section 803. Prohibited Signs.

It shall be unlawful to erect, cause to be erected, maintain or cause to be maintained, any sign not

expressly authorized by, or exempted from, these regulations. The signs listed below are

expressly prohibited in the City of Northport.

A. Signs that are in violation of the building code or electrical code adopted by the City

of Northport.

B. Portable signs.

C. Beacons and searchlights.

D. Off-Premise signs.

E. Flags on commercial property other than official flags.

F. Wind signs consisting of one (1) or more flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers,

captive balloons, inflatable figures or other objects or material fastened in such a

manner as to move freely upon being subjected to pressure by wind (whether the sign

contains a commercial message or not). Wind signs exclude holiday or community

decorations.

G. Inflatable signs and tethered balloons.

H. A sign that, in the opinion of the Planning Director, does or may constitute a safety

hazard.

I. Any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign

or signal, or which makes use of words, symbols or characters in such a manner to

interfere with, mislead or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

J. Any signs, other than official traffic control devices, highway identification markers,

warning signs, and other official signs, which are erected within the right-of-way of

any street or alley. Any sign that is erected or maintained outside the right-of-way

and obstructs the vision of pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists traveling on or entering a

street, road, or highway. The national standards for sight-distance triangles utilized

by the City of Northport Engineering Department shall be utilized to determine if a

sign is creating an obstruction.

January 22, 2015

VIII-11

K. Freestanding signs which project into the public right-of-way.

L. Signs consisting of any moving, rotating, flashing, or otherwise animated light or

component, except for time and temperature displays and traditional barber poles.

M. Any sign or sign structure identifying a previous use or activity that has not occupied

the site for a period greater than sixty (60) days, does not maintain a current business

license or pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be

deemed abandoned. The removal of a frame of an abandoned sign shall not be

required, if it conforms to all applicable terms contained in these regulations

(including the sign face area for sign replacement yielded by such frame).

Any sign structure, which supported or supports an abandoned sign and which

structure conforms to all applicable terms contained in these regulations shall be

allowed to remain in place. However, in the event a sign structure which supported or

supports an abandoned sign is inconsistent with any term contained in these

regulations (including the sign face area for sign replacement yielded by the frame),

then the sign structure and frame shall be either altered to comply with the terms

contained herein or removed by the owner of such structure or property. (See Section

807.02)

N. Strips or strings of lights outlining property lines, sales area, rooflines, doors,

windows, wall edges or other architectural features of a building. This prohibition

does not include holiday decorations and community decorations. This prohibition

does not include neon lighting on buildings. If neon is used to depict wording or

logos, it will be calculated as part of the overall allowable signage.

O. Signs on public land, other than those erected at the direction or with the permission

of a public authority.

P. Signs that emit audible sound, odor, visible matter such as smoke or steam, or involve

the use of live animals.

Q. Signs or sign structures that interfere in any way with free use of any fire escape,

emergency exit, or standpipes, or that obstruct any window to such an extent that light

or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any provision of these

regulations or any other regulation of the City of Northport.

R. Signs that are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision of

motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians; or that illuminate adjacent residential development.

S. Signs that contain any lighting or control mechanism that causes unreasonable

interference with radio, television, or other communication signals.

January 22, 2015

VIII-12

T. Signs placed upon light poles, benches, bus shelters, waste receptacles or shopping

cart corrals except those which identify the use of the object on which they are

placed, i.e. “Cart Return,” “Bus Stop.”

U. Signs erected on public utility poles, even if they are located on private property other

than signs erected by a public authority for public purposes.

V. Signs, other than historical markers or those identifying a natural feature, painted on

or attached to trees, rocks, or other natural features.

W. Signs visible from a public right-of-way that use the word “stop” or “danger” or

otherwise present or imply the need or requirement of stopping, caution, the existence

of danger, or which for any reason are likely to be confused with any sign displayed

or authorized by a public authority.

X. Any sign mounted to the structural roof or applied to the roof including painted signs.

Y. Signs projecting above the building roof or parapet line.

Z. Signs that have become deteriorated or damaged to such an extent that the cost of the

reconstruction or restoration of said signs is in excess of 50 percent of its replacement

value exclusive of foundations.

AA. Signs lettered in a crude or amateurish fashion.

BB. Signs on any broadcasting or telecommunications tower or any antenna other than

appropriate hazard/warning signs.

CC. Vehicles or trailers (operable or inoperable) which contain advertising and are not

used in the daily conduct of business. (See Section 802.19)

Section 804. Permitted Signs.

804.01. Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs shall consist of or be covered entirely in

masonry, stone, wood, or other decorative surface treatment such that metallic structural

elements, including poles, are not visible. For the purpose of this Section, paint of any kind

including textured or rubberized paint shall not qualify as a cladding material.

The height of freestanding signs on property lying below the grade of the street shall be taken

from the adjacent curb elevation or in the absence of a curb, the street centerline elevation. All

other sign heights shall be measured from grade.

Any berming or filling solely for the purpose of locating the sign shall be computed as a part of

the sign height.

January 22, 2015

VIII-13

All monument style signs must have a minimum base of one foot (1’) in height, covered as

described above.

A. General Business Signs. Freestanding General business signs may be of the

monument or pole (elevated) style, and one hundred (100) square feet in area.

Elevated signs may be up to twenty (20) feet in height, and monument style signs up

to ten (10) feet in height, on any individual development site, unless specifically

allowed or further limited by this Section.

Freestanding signs are limited to one (1) per parcel, unless otherwise allowed by this

Section. Such signs shall have a minimum setback of ten (10) feet from any side lot

line. (measured from the edge of the sign face)

Reader boards shall be integrated into the structure of the general business sign and

count toward the maximum allowable display area.

Corner or double frontage lots shall be allowed two (2) signs, one on each street

frontage. Such signs shall be a minimum distance of fifty (50) linear feet apart and

located outside of any applicable site distance triangle. The combined area of the two

signs shall not exceed one hundred-sixty (160) square feet. The area of the two signs

may be distributed in any combination not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet on

any individual sign.

A summary of the sign requirements for Freestanding General Business signs is shown below:

Permitted Sign Area

(One Sign)

Sign Area

on Corner Lots

(Two Signs)

Permitted Sign

Height

Side Lot Line

Setback

Pole:

100 sq. ft.

160 sq. ft.

20’

10’

Monument:

100 sq. ft.

160 sq. ft.

10’

B. Shopping Center Signs. For the purposes of this Section, the term "Shopping

Center" shall be inclusive of "Shopping Centers" and "Neighborhood Shopping Centers".

Additionally, for the purposes of this Section, a development site must consist of at least

four (4) individual businesses and a minimum of 10,000 square feet of gross building

area to be considered a shopping center.

Shopping Centers consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 square feet of gross building

area shall be allowed one (1) sign. The total area of said sign shall not exceed one-

hundred (100) square feet. Said Shopping Centers lying on corner or double frontage lots

shall be allowed two (2) freestanding signs. The combined area of these signs shall not

exceed 150 square feet.

January 22, 2015

VIII-14

Shopping Centers consisting of at least 20,000 square feet and less than 65,000 square

feet of gross building area shall be allowed one (1) sign. The total area of said sign shall

not exceed 150 square feet. Said Shopping Centers lying on corner or double frontage

lots shall be allowed two (2) freestanding signs. The combined area of these signs shall

not exceed 200 square feet.

Shopping Centers consisting of greater than 65,000 square feet of gross building area

shall be allowed one (1) sign. The total area of said sign shall not exceed 250 square feet.

Said Shopping Centers lying on corner or double frontage lots shall be allowed two (2)

freestanding signs. The combined area of these signs shall not exceed 350 square feet.

The combined height of the base and sign shall not exceed 25 feet in height for Shopping

Centers less than 65,000 square feet of gross building area and shall not exceed 35 feet in

height for Shopping Centers greater than 65,000 square feet of gross building area. All

Shopping Center signs shall be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from any lot line.

All shopping center signs shall be supported by a structure constructed of brick, stone or

other masonry material, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission.

A summary of the sign requirements for Shopping Centers is shown below:

Shopping Center

Gross Building

Area (sq. ft.)

Permitted Sign

Area

(One Sign)

Permitted Sign

Area on Corner

Lots

(Two Signs)

Permitted

Sign Height

Side lot line

and ROW

setback

10,000 – 20,000

100 sq. ft.

150 sq. ft.

10’

20,000 – 65,000

150 sq. ft.

200 sq. ft.

25’

10’

65,000 – over

250 sq. ft.

350 sq. ft.

35’

10’

C. Billboards. Off-premise signs with a maximum display area of 672 square feet. All

Billboards erected after the adoption of this ordinance shall be of the digital style and

have no more than seven (7) messages per minute. For each digital billboard erected at

least four (4) non-conforming billboards must be removed within 6 months.

1. Area and Dimensional Requirements. The following area and dimensional

regulations shall apply to all billboards:

Minimum Lot Area: Determined by setback requirements

Minimum Setbacks: Determined by district setback requirements. All billboards

must meet the setback requirements of the zone in which they are to be located.

No part of the sign, including the sign face, shall extend over a building setback

January 22, 2015

VIII-15

line. In no case shall any billboard sign be less than 10’ from any property line

measured from edge of sign face.

Movement: Except for the change of messages on a digital billboard there shall

be no movement (i.e. video copy etc.) involved with the messages displayed.

Lighting: All lighting of Billboards shall be done in a manner that will not

interfere with commuters’ vision. The light intensity of Digital Billboards shall

be adjusted for daylight and dark so as not to impair commuters’ nighttime vision.

2. Height and Location Restrictions. In regard to the height and citing of all

billboard signs, the following regulations shall be observed:

No billboard shall be located closer than 600 feet to any residence.

No billboard shall be located within a 2000 foot radius from another billboard

No billboard shall exceed 45 feet in height as measured from grade. (see

standards above)

No billboards shall be located in the Downtown Historic District, or within a ½

mile radius of the declared center point of said district. (See Figure 19)

No billboard may be mounted or displayed as a roof sign or wall sign or on any

structure not intended specifically to use as a billboard.

No billboard shall be located on or project over any public property, right-of-way,

utility easement or drainage easement.

Exposed backs of signs, poles and other support structures must be painted black,

dark green, or dark brown to blend with natural surroundings and present a more

attractive appearance.

Billboards shall only be permitted in areas zoned C-6, M-1 or M-2, along the

following Roadways:

Highway 43

Highway 69

McFarland Blvd.

D. Freestanding Signs in the Downtown Historic District. Freestanding signs are

prohibited in the Downtown Historic District, with the exception of a changeable copy

freestanding directory that may be provided for the use of all downtown businesses. Any

such directory sign shall be designed to fit with the architectural features of downtown

historic businesses and approved by the Planning Director.

January 22, 2015

VIII-16

804.02. Reader Boards. A reader board is a permanent sign displaying changeable copy in the

form of either removable letters or electronic (LED or Digital) format. A reader board may be a

building sign or an integral part of a freestanding sign and will be counted toward the overall

allowable sign area for either. In no case shall a reader board exceed 32 sq. ft. in size, and no

more than one such sign shall be permitted per site.

Electronic Reader Boards shall meet the following additional criteria:

A. The sign must be “accessory” to the primary “freestanding” business sign.

B. The sign may not be more than 32 sq. ft. in size

C. The overall sign area (primary and reader board) must meet the size and height

requirements of the Northport Sign Regulations.

D. No more than seven (7) messages per minute may be displayed on the sign.

E. Except for the changing of the message there shall be no movement (i.e. video,

flashing backgrounds, etc.) involved with the message display.

F. All lighting shall be done in a manner that will not interfere with commuters’ vision.

The light intensity shall be programmed for daylight and dark so as not to impact

commuters’ nighttime vision.

804.03. Menu Boards. A permanent sign, which is not designed or located so as to be legible

from any public right-of-way, depicting products that can be purchased on site (i.e. fast food

restaurants) and is part of a drive-through service. Menu boards must be shown on the site plan

and noted on the sign permit, but the size does not count against the allowable square footage of

a freestanding sign.

804.04. Subdivision Identification Marker. A sign marking an entrance to a residential

subdivision, office park, or industrial park. A subdivision marker shall contain no advertising

other than the name of the residential subdivision, office park, or industrial park and/or the

developer. Subdivision markers must be within the perimeter of the subdivision and shall not be

located within the public right of way, except for those located in a landscaped traffic island.

Subdivision Markers shall meet the following standards:

Maximum Number: 1 per street front (entrance); 2 sign faces may be used (on either side

of entrance) with a wall, fence or other architectural entrance feature.

Maximum Area: 36 sq. ft. (sign face)

Maximum Height: 8 ft. (overall structure)

Permitted for all-residential, mixed use, and non-residential projects of 10 acres or more.

Limited to name and/or logo.

For subdivision markers located in traffic islands as mentioned above, the following criteria shall

apply:

January 22, 2015

VIII-17

A. The sign must be placed in a designated curbed median.

B. The sign must be constructed of a durable material such as brick.

C. The developer must indicate the location of sign on a site plan and provide

construction details for review and approval.

D. Any utilities involved with construction of the sign, shall be permitted through the

Northport Building Inspections Office.

E. If the sign is ever damaged by natural or human causes the sign will not be repaired

or replaced at the expense of the City, nor shall it be allowed to remain in a damaged

condition.

G. The developer's engineer must certify that site distance around the sign meets

minimum requirement established by the City.

Maintenance. All such signs shall be maintained perpetually by the developer, the owner of the

sign, a pertinent homeowners association or some other person who is legally accountable. Such

accountability is required before a permit shall be issued. If, following the issuance of a permit

and subsequent erection of such signs, no accountable person accepts legal responsibility to

maintain the signs and no other provision has been made for maintenance, the signs shall be

removed by the developer or owner.

804.05. Building (Wall) Signs. Building signs on any single development site shall not exceed a

total of two (2) square feet per linear foot of the main or entry façade except in the Downtown

Historic District where building signs shall not exceed a total of one (1) square foot per linear

foot of the main or entry façade.

Note: Individual businesses will be allowed a minimum of 32 square feet, except the Downtown

Historic District where a minimum of 24 square feet will be allowed. No individual business

shall be allowed more than 500 square feet of building signage, and no single sign shall exceed

300 square feet.

A. Projecting Signs - Projecting signs shall not project into the public right-of-way,

except in the Downtown Historic District. Signs in the Downtown Historic District

may project into a public pedestrian way no more than six feet. Signs projecting

over pedestrian ways shall provide a minimum of eight (8) feet vertical clearance.

Signs in the Downtown Historic District may project into an alley no more than six

(6) feet. Projections greater than one (1) foot and up to six (6) feet shall be reviewed

and approved by the City Engineer. Signs projecting over public alleyways shall

provide a minimum of sixteen (16) feet of vertical clearance. (See Figure 18)

January 22, 2015

VIII-18

Projecting Sign

B. Shopping Center - When determining the allowable exterior sign area for Shopping

Centers and Neighborhood Shopping Centers, where it cannot be determined which

facade is the main or entry facade, the longest single exterior elevation of the

structure shall be used.

When determining the allowable exterior sign area for an individual business in a

Shopping Center or Neighborhood Shopping Center, where it cannot be determined

which façade portion of the individual business is the main or entry façade, the

longest single exterior entry façade of the individual business shall be used.

When determining the allowable exterior sign area of individual mall shops or other

businesses without exterior façades, the interior or entry façade width or the

allowable minimum shall be used.

C. Historic District. Permanent wall signs for those businesses having no frontage on

primary streets may be mounted to the wall of another business in the historic district

subject to the approval of the property/building owner of the host building. Said wall

signs shall be calculated using the parent structures façade frontage as set out in

above and count toward the overall allowable signage of the same. Said wall signs

shall not count toward the host building’s overall allowable wall signage. In no case

shall the host building provide more than one hundred (100) square feet of signage for

other businesses, or cover more than twenty-five (25) percent of the surface of a

building’s façade, which every is less.

804.06. Multi-Family Residential Signs. Permits are required for all signs located on multi-

family residential properties. The following requirements apply to multi-family residential sites:

A. Wall Sign - 32 square feet.

B. Freestanding Sign - 32 square feet.

C. Allow one sign of either type at each entrance from a public street.

804.07. Home Occupation Signs. One non-illuminated sign shall be permitted for each

approved home occupation provided that the display surface area of such sign does not exceed

two square feet in area and that such sign is mounted flat against the wall of the building in

which such home occupation is conducted or flat against the wall of the principal structure.

January 22, 2015

VIII-19

804.08. Commercial Banners. Banners may be utilized by commercial establishments

provided:

At least five business days before signs are to be posted, the designated representative of the

business or commercial establishment shall provide a sign installation and removal plan for

review by the Planning Director, who shall issue a permit for signs to be posted if the following

standards are met:

A. Signs or banners shall be located outside of the public right-of-way of any public

street and outside of the sight distance triangle of any intersection.

B. Signs or banners may be posted up to thirty (30) days.

C. Each banner shall require a separate permit, and no more than four (4) permits per

calendar year shall be issues for any one commercial establishment.

D. In no case shall any banner be located closer than 100 feet from another such banner

on the same site.

E. Exemptions:

a. Each new business shall be allowed one exempt “Grand Opening” banner for

up to 30 days from the date of opening, in the place of or in addition to their

permanent business sign.

b. Banners for special sales events, posted from Friday through Sunday, during

University of Alabama home football game weekends shall be exempt.

F. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to authorize the posting of such banners

upon trees, utility poles, traffic control signs, lights or devices in any place or manner

prohibited by the provisions herein, nor on private property without written consent

of the owner.

Section 805. Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Signs

805.01. Compliance with Building and Electrical Code Requirements. All permanent signs

and the illumination thereof, shall be designed, constructed and maintained in conformity with

the applicable provisions of the adopted building code and electrical code of the City of

Northport. Wherever there is inconsistency between this Ordinance and the building or electrical

code, the more restrictive requirement shall apply.

805.02. Illumination Standards.

A. Sign lighting shall not be designed or located to cause confusion with traffic signals.

January 22, 2015

VIII-20

B. Devices that illuminate a sign or signs shall be placed and shielded so that direct light

shall not be cast into the eyes of pedestrians, cyclists or motorists entering or using a

street, road or highway.

805.03. Placement and Clearance Standards.

A. Signs shall be located such that there is at every intersection and driveway clear sight

distance for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists traveling on or entering any street,

road, or highway. The national standards for sight-distance triangles utilized by the

City of Northport Engineering Department shall be applied to determine if a sign is

creating an obstruction.

B. No sign structure shall be erected that impedes use of any fire escape, emergency exit,

or ventilation opening.

C. No freestanding sign shall project into a public right-of-way.

D. No building sign shall project into a public right-of-way except in the Downtown

Historic District. Signs in the Downtown Historic District may project over a public

pedestrian-way no more than six (6) feet. Signs projecting over pedestrian-ways

shall provide a minimum of eight (8) feet of vertical clearance.

Signs in the Downtown Historic District may project into an alley no more than six

(6) feet. Projections greater than one (1) foot and up to six (6) feet shall be reviewed

and approved by the City Engineer. Signs projecting over public alleyways shall

provide a minimum of 16 feet of vertical clearance.

805.04. Calculation of Display Area. The display area of a sign or advertising device is

measured by the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle or combination thereof, which will

encompass the entire sign or advertising device; excluding trim, frame, apron, posts, uprights,

braces or other structural members which support it.

Where a sign is double facing and only one face can be viewed from a single location on a

roadway, the display area shall be the area of one sign face. Where a sign has two (2) or more

faces that can be viewed from a single location, the display area of all such faces shall be

included in determining the total display area of the sign.

Open Letter sign display area shall be measured by the number of square feet in the smallest

rectangle, within which all letters, logos, symbols or other elements of the sign can be enclosed,

multiplied by a factor of 0.8.

When a sign is in the form of a three-dimensional object, the area shall be determined by

drawing a square, rectangle, triangle, circle or combination thereof, which will encompass the

projected image of the sign and multiplying that area by two (2). The “projected image” is that

image created by tracing the largest possible two-dimensional outline of the sign.

January 22, 2015

VIII-21

805.05. Maintenance. All signs, including their supports, braces, guys and anchors, electrical

parts and lighting fixtures, and all painted and display areas, shall be maintained in accordance

with the building and electrical codes adopted by the City of Northport. All signs and their

components shall be maintained in good repair, free of rust, peeling, fading, broken or cracked

panels, and broken or missing letters. Vegetation must be properly maintained and no condition

shall be allowed that would constitute a fire or health hazard. The general area in the vicinity of

any sign shall be kept free and clear of any unnecessary or discarded sign materials.

No sign shall be allowed to deteriorate to a condition in which it is unsightly in appearance or to

a condition in which it requires repairs or renovations in an amount which exceeds 50 percent of

its current replacement cost. Signs which deteriorate to such a condition are deemed to be in

violation of this ordinance, and as such must either be removed or improved (if permitted) by the

person responsible for maintaining the sign.

Section 806. Permitting and Enforcement/Administration

806.01 Permits for Permanent Signs.

A. Applicability. No person shall erect, alter, relocate, repair, replace the face of, or

change a sign without first obtaining a permit, except for the following actions which

shall not require a permit:

1. Changing the copy, announcement or message on a reader board sign;

2. Cleaning, painting, or comparable maintenance of a sign that does not alter the

size, image or message of the sign;

3. Erecting a sign for which a permit is not required in accordance with Section 003.

“Exempt Signs” of this Ordinance.

B. Procedure. All sign permits shall be procured in accordance with the following

procedure:

1. A written application shall be submitted to the Planning Department for review

and processing. The Planning Department, only upon determination that all

requisite documentation and fees accompany the application form, will accept the

application. The application shall include supplementary information as may be

specifically requested by the Planning Department to determine compliance with

these regulations.

2. The Planning Department shall review the application, plans, and specifications to

determine whether the proposed sign conforms to all applicable requirements of

these regulations.

3. Following review and determination as to conformance with these regulations, the

Planning Department shall either approve or deny the application for the sign

January 22, 2015

VIII-22

permit. In case of denial, the Planning Department shall specify the section or

sections of these regulations with which the proposed sign is not in conformance.

4. An application may be amended within thirty (30) days of the application date to

include additional signs up to the allowable maximum. Additional fees shall be

charged if the additional signs exceed the size limitations for fee category. After

thirty (30) days, a new sign permit shall be required for any sign constructed and

all fees shall be required.

C. Submission Requirements. No request for a sign permit shall be considered

complete until all the following has been submitted to the Planning Department.

1. The application form shall be submitted with all required information completed

by the applicant. The application form is available from the Planning Department.

2. Plans and specifications for the proposed sign shall be submitted, drawn to scale,

and include the following:

a) Site plan of development site showing location of any freestanding sign(s)

including any easements, public rights-of-way, property lines, buildings, sight

distance triangles and other signs on the property;

b) Main or entrance façade including linear dimension;

c) Dimensions and elevations (including message) of all signs;

d) Dimensions of any supporting structures;

e) Maximum and minimum height of sign, as measured from finished grade;

f) For illuminated signs, indicate type and placement of illumination;

g) Inventory of number, type, location, and display area of all existing signs on the

same property and/or building on which the sign is to be located.

3. The applicant shall be required to pay an application fee according to the current

schedule of fees established by the Northport City Council for the particular

category of application. This fee is nonrefundable irrespective of the final

disposition of the application.

4. A sign permit shall be valid for a period of 180 days after issuance. Failure to

place the sign within the allotted time period shall void the permit and necessitate

reapplication.

January 22, 2015

VIII-23

Section 807. Nonconforming, Illegal and Abandoned Signs.

807.01. Nonconforming Signs.

A nonconforming sign is any sign within the jurisdiction of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of

Northport on the effective date of this article or any sign existing within any area added to such

jurisdiction after the effective date of this article, which is prohibited by, or does not conform to

the requirements of, these regulations. (See Also: Section 803. M. “Prohibited Signs)

A nonconforming sign may be continued and shall be maintained in good condition as required

by these regulations, however, it shall not be:

A. Structurally changed to another nonconforming sign, but its pictorial content may be

changed.

B. Structurally altered to prolong the life of the sign, except to meet safety requirements.

C. Expanded or altered in any manner that increases the degree of nonconformity.

D. Re-established after damage or destruction if the estimated cost of reconstruction

exceeds fifty (50) percent of the appraised replacement cost as determined by the

Director.

E. Continued in use when a conforming sign or sign structure shall be erected on the

same parcel or unit.

F. Continued in use when the structure housing the occupancy is demolished or requires

renovations the cost of which exceeds fifty (50) percent of the assessed value of the

structure.

807.02. Abandoned Signs.

Except as otherwise provided in this article, any sign that is located on property which becomes

vacant and unoccupied, pertains to a business which does not maintain a current business license,

or pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been

abandoned. Any abandoned sign shall be prohibited and shall be removed by the owner of the

sign or the owner of the property. The frame of an abandoned sign shall not be required to be

removed if it conforms to all applicable terms contained in these regulations (including the sign

face area for sign replacement yielded by such frame).

Sign faces (whether freestanding or building signs) deemed to be abandoned as a result of the

closing, relocation or other form of removal of the business for which it was intended, shall be

replaced with a blank sign face panel or with the approval of the planning director and/or their

designee, otherwise neatly removed or covered. Exposed lighting or wiring shall not be allowed.

January 22, 2015

VIII-24

Any sign structure which supported an abandoned sign and which structure conforms to all

applicable terms contained in these regulations shall be allowed to remain in place. However, in

the event a sign structure which supported or supports an abandoned sign is inconsistent with any

term contained in these regulations (including the sign face area for sign replacement yielded by

the frame), then the sign structure and frame shall be either altered to comply with the terms

contained herein or removed by the owner of such structure or property.

807.03. Illegal Signs.

The following signs shall be considered to be illegal and a violation of the terms of this article:

A. A sign erected or maintained after the effective date of this article inconsistent with

the terms contained herein;

B. A nonconforming sign which was erected inconsistent with the terms governing

location, height, surface area or other regulatory measure applicable at the time of its

erection;

C. An abandoned sign.

Upon determination by the Director that a certain sign is illegal, the Director shall act to remedy

the violation, which may include:

A. Causing the issuance of a notice of violation to the individual who owns, is

responsible for or benefits from the display of such sign prescribing the action

necessary to make the sign legal and conforming to the terms contained herein or

ordering the removal of the illegal sign and also prescribing the time which the

individual is afforded to accomplish such action;

B. The removal of any illegal sign located on public property or on private property

located on public property, including any such sign located within a street right-of-

way in which case the City shall have the right to recover from the individual erecting

such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal.

Failure to bring any illegal sign into conformance with the terms contained in this article or any

other violation of the terms contained in this article shall be considered a violation of the Zoning

Ordinance of the City of Northport and shall be subject to the remedies and penalties provided by

such ordinance and by state law.

Section 808. Variances and Waivers

It is the explicit intent that this section be enacted to accomplish the purposes as set forth in

Section 800 and any variance granted by the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) would be

detrimental to these purposes. Accordingly, the BZA shall only grant a variance in the case of an

January 22, 2015

VIII-25

extreme hardship. Acts of God and economic conditions shall not be considered hardships for

purposes of this section.

In situations where a nonconforming freestanding sign is proposed to be reused within the

allowable 60 days as spelled out above and prior to being removed as required by Section

807.02; the Planning Director is hereby granted the ability to allow an administrative waiver of

up to five percent (5%) in area and five percent (5%) in height (5 sf. & 1’ respectively) to such

sign. This waiver does not apply to any sign type other than freestanding signs.

Section 809. Severability Clause

If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word

of this chapter is declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of any court of

competent jurisdiction, the declaration of such unconstitutionality shall not affect any other part,

section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term or word of this

chapter.